graceWORKS ! GOING DEEPER1 The Papou Study is a daily study provided by me to help folks explore the depth and joy of the “conneXion” life of God. It’s my personal study, and is not intended as a doctrinal statement or statement of any church or denomination or congregation. It’s also my belief that “grace” works, and the servant of God should always want to go deeper. Multi- tasking as usual, I’m also calling this the “Papou Study Bible.” I’m writing it as if I were speaking to my girls Paige, Stephanie, and Ashley, and any descendant they have (particularly Nicole, Joey, Matthew, Dylan, Julianne, and Lizzie, who know me as “Papou”). And to anyone who wants to consider me a spiritual Dad or “Papou.” I want them to be able to study the Bible with Papou (grandpa in Greek) after I’m gone---and if they don’t, I’ll haunt them. The Scriptures say it’s noble to “search the Scriptures daily” to verify truth like the ancient Bereans did (Acts 17:11). My folks came from Berea. My incredible Dad (and your grandfather and great grandfather, guys), Vasil Charles Valekis taught me to do this like he did---every day until I die. He taught me and everyone I know to go to church no matter what and to put God first. While Mama (Maria Pagona Stratakis Valekis) never really did this, she made sure we listened to Daddy on this one. She would have hit us with a spatula or frying pan or worse if we didn’t. This is a simple sharing my “daily search.” And I’d like to think it is a continuation of God’s life through my Dad through me. Both my “Dads” by the way. And a way to honor him, mama and our loving “Dad”---God. And for all of us to be together, in Spirit, even when we I join them in heaven. I like to use the Blue Letter literal, very “visual,” Greek translation a lot to help “visualize” these truths the beautiful way Greek enables you to view. And I like to share this with folks serving in an elder capacity, or any capacity, to grow them, challenge them, and stretch them. But especially share it with my girls. And when you study these, I’ll make sure to connect with you from heaven. Ever an orthodox Greek, Jim Valekis

ChristIN YouSeries Colossians 1:27 (King James Version) 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory

graceWORKS! GOING DEEPER 30 Part 32

I researched the “Day of the Lord” a bit. Now I’d like to get into this chapter and understand ’s “Day of the Lord. Some say it was only partially fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar, and that its total fulfillment will take place at the final Day of the Lord, since some aspects of the fulfillment of this prophecy have not been found in history. That doesn’t mean they are not there! It’s just we don’t have them recorded. This one is kind of murky to me. But I know God’s word is true, and facts either unearthed in this age of the next will demonstrate that! Enjoy!

1 NOT TO BE REPRODUCED OR UPLOADED TO WEB WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION OF AUTHOR. 2 New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. (Author’s note: This translation, and the source for many of the study notes that accompany it, are taken from The NIV Study Bible, Copyright 1985,1995, 2002, 2008, 2011 . These notes re referenced throughout and paraphrased frequently in the notes.) Ezekiel 30 New International Version (NIV)

A Lament Over Egypt

30 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:

“‘Wail and say, “Alas for that day!” 3 For the day is near, the day of the Figure 1 Photos taken from taken from: https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/ancient-egypt LORD is near— a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. 4 A sword will come against Egypt, and anguish will come upon Cush. Cush is the upper Nile region. The sword that will come upon the region is Nebuchadnezzar’s sword.

When the slain fall in Egypt, her wealth will be carried away and her foundations torn down. Egypt had been a power for such a long time. Here’s some insight about them from Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt Egypt has one of the longest histories of any country, tracing its heritage along the Nile Delta back to the 6th–4th millennia BCE. Considered a cradle of civilisation, saw some of the earliest developments of writing, agriculture, urbanisation, organised religion and central government.[14] Iconic monuments such as the Giza Necropolis and its Great Sphinx, as well the ruins of Memphis, Thebes, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings, reflect this legacy and remain a significant focus of scientific and popular interest. Egypt's long and rich cultural heritage is an integral part of its national identity, which has endured, and often assimilated, various foreign influences, including Greek, Persian, Roman, Arab, Ottoman Turkish, and Nubian. Egypt was an early and important centre of , but was largely Islamised in the seventh century and remains a predominantly Muslim country, albeit with a significant Christian minority. To go back as far as the 6th-4th millennia BCE are some pretty serious “foundations.” She was going to have her foundations torn down. What she was, she was never to be again. Another insight on them is included as an addendum to this study. It’s taken from: https://www.history.com/topics/ancient- history/ancient-egypt

5 Cush and , Lydia and all Arabia, Kub and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.

As with any huge nation, surrounding people who inhabit her, including Jews (“covenant people”) would suffer.

6 “‘This is what the LORD says:“‘The allies of Egypt will fall and her proud strength will fail. From Migdol to they will fall by the sword within her, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Migdol was in northern Egypt. Aswan was a small town in the south. When God spoke of in the same way, He would use the phrase from “Dan to Beersheba.” In our country it would be like speaking about “From Bangor, Maine to Los Angeles, California.”

7 “‘They will be desolate among desolate lands, and their cities will lie among ruined cities.

8 Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I set fire to Egypt and all her helpers are crushed. Fire is a common biblical term for God’s devastating judgments.

Isaiah 10:16-19 16 Therefore, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will send a wasting disease upon his sturdy warriors; Hebrews 12:29 (NIV) under his pomp a fire will be kindled 29 for our “God is a consuming like a blazing flame. fire.” 17 The Light of Israel will become a fire,

their Holy One a flame; in a single day it will burn and consume his thorns and his briers. 18 The splendor of his forests and fertile fields it will completely destroy, as when a sick person wastes away. 19 And the remaining trees of his forests will be so few that a child could write them down.

Our God is a consuming fire. God was going to use fire to purify Egypt. Fire from God is not always meant to destroy, by the way. It is also meant to purify (1 Cor 3:10-15)

9 “‘On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush out of her complacency.

These ships would presumably travel on the Nile.

Complacency – a more literal translation I like to use says:

(CLV) Ezk 30:9

In •that day messengers shall go forth from before Me in boats to cmake »unsuspecting Cush tremble, and sore travail will bcome iamong them in Egypt's day, for behold, it is coming. Sometimes you can become so locked into your wrong ways that you become unsuspecting.

Anguish will take hold of them on the day of Egypt’s doom, for it is sure to come.

10 “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of . 11 He and his army—the most ruthless of nations— will be brought in to destroy the land. They will draw their swords against Egypt and fill the land with the slain.

Here is one take on Nebuchadnezzar’s attack on Egypt. It is taken from https://discussions.godandscience.org/viewtopic.php?t=38766.

in 568 BC Nebuchadnezzar did in fact actually invade Egypt proper. A fragmentary historical document indicates that Nebuchadnezzar actually campaigned in Egypt, subjugating parts of the country during the rule of Amasis, about 568 BC. Naturally, during this campaign, Nebuchadnezzar took massive booty, as predicted by Ezekiel. Ezekiel never prophesied that Nebuchadnezzar would conquer all of Egypt. It says that he will campaign there, taking land and plunder as his reward.

12 I will dry up the waters of the Nile and sell the land to an evil nation; by the hand of foreigners I will lay waste the land and everything in it.

Here’s what the commentator cited above says about this:

To be honest, this prophecy is really somewhat vague (unlike many other extremely precise and specific biblical prophecies). It seems to describe a campaign in Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar–almost certainly the one which we know happened in 568 BC. At the time it is prophesied that the streams will dry up. Presumably this means that it will be a time of drought.

I the LORD have spoken.

13 “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:

“‘I will destroy the idols and put an end to the images in Memphis. No longer will there be a prince in Egypt, and I will spread fear

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43794120 Ruins at Luxor, Modern Day Thebes throughout the land. 14 I will lay waste Upper Egypt, set fire to Zoan and inflict punishment on Thebes.

. 15 I will pour out my wrath on , the stronghold of Egypt, and wipe out the hordes of Thebes. 16 I will set fire to Egypt; Pelusium will writhe in agony.

Pelusium was a fortress in the eastern delta region.

Thebes will be taken by storm; Memphis will be in constant distress. 17 The young men of Heliopolis and will fall by the sword, and the cities themselves will go into captivity. 18 Dark will be the day at when I break the yoke of Egypt;

The murderers of Gedaliah, a man Nebuchadnezzar had appointed as a liaison between them and the conquered Judeans, fled to this city.

there her proud strength will come to an end. She will be covered with clouds, and her villages will go into captivity. 19 So I will inflict punishment on Egypt, and they will know that I am the LORD.’” Pharaoh’s Arms Are Broken

20 In the eleventh year, in the first month on the seventh day, the word of 21 the LORD came to me: “Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. It has not been bound up to be healed or put in a splint so that it may become strong enough to hold a sword.

They knew about this kind of healing at that time. A man needed to be able to hold a sword too. Wow.

This refers Pharaoh Hophras defeat by Nebuchadnezzar when he came to support against Nebuchadnezzar (see Romans 13 New Jeremiah 37) International Version (NIV) Jeremiah 37 7 Submission to Governing Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the : “This Authorities is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of me, ‘Pharaoh’s army, which has 13 Let everyone be subject to the marched out to support you, will go back to its own land, to governing authorities, for there is Egypt. 8 Then the Babylonians will return and attack this city; no authority except that which God they will capture it and burn it down.’ has established. The authorities 9 that exist have been established by “This is what the LORD says: Do not deceive yourselves, God. 2 Consequently, whoever thinking, ‘The Babylonians will surely leave us.’ They will not! rebels against the authority is 10 Even if you were to defeat the entire Babylonian army that is rebelling against what God has attacking you and only wounded men were left in their tents, they instituted, and those who do so would come out and burn this city down.” will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those And that’s exactly what they did! who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free 22 Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will says: I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt. I will 4 be commended. For the one in break both his arms, the good arm as well as the authority is God’s servant for your broken one, and make the sword fall from his good. But if you do wrong, be hand. afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are 23 God’s servants, agents of wrath to I will disperse the Egyptians among the bring punishment on the nations and scatter them through the countries. wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

24 I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put my sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before him like a mortally wounded man.

God chooses to use humans as instruments to inflict his punishment sometimes. That’s what it says in Romans about the authorities.

25 I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh will fall limp. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he brandishes it against Egypt. 26 I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them through the countries. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Some say this was only fulfilled partially by Nebuchadnezzar, and will be fulfilled fully in the final “Day of the Lord when he comes to judge all nations. But the bottom line---if we as God’s people rely on the “nations” for help rather than God, both they and we will suffer.

Footnotes:

1. Ezekiel 30:4 That is, the upper Nile region; also in verses 5 and 9

ADDENDUM

For almost 30 centuries—from its unification around 3100 B.C. to its conquest by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.—ancient Egypt was the preeminent civilization in the Mediterranean world. From the great pyramids of the Old Kingdom through the military conquests of the New Kingdom, Egypt’s majesty has long entranced archaeologists and historians and created a vibrant field of study all its own: Egyptology. The main sources of information about ancient Egypt are the many monuments, objects and artifacts that have been recovered from archaeological sites, covered with hieroglyphs that have only recently been deciphered. The picture that emerges is of a culture with few equals in the beauty of its art, the accomplishment of its architecture or the richness of its religious traditions.

Predynastic Period (c. 5000-3100 B.C.) 2,000 years of gradual development of the Egyptian civilization.

Archaic (Early Dynastic) Period (c. 3100-2686 B.C.)

“To the ancient Egyptians, the king was a godlike being, closely identified with the all-powerful god Horus. The earliest known hieroglyphic writing also dates to this period.”

Old Kingdom: Age of the Pyramid Builders (c. 2686-2181 B.C.)

The Old Kingdom began with the third dynasty of pharaohs. . . the world’s first major stone building, the Step-Pyramid at Saqqara, near Memphis. Egyptian pyramid-building reached its zenith . . .Egypt enjoyed a golden age of peace and prosperity. The pharaohs held absolute power and provided a stable central government; the kingdom faced no serious threats from abroad;

First Intermediate Period (c. 2181-2055 B.C.)

From this era of conflict emerged two different kingdoms: A line of 17 rulers (dynasties nine and 10) based in Heracleopolis ruled Middle Egypt between Memphis and Thebes, while another family of rulers arose in Thebes to challenge Heracleopolitan power

Middle Kingdom: 12th Dynasty (c. 2055-1786 B.C.)

Second Intermediate Period (c. 1786-1567 B.C.)

The 13th dynasty marked the beginning of another unsettled period in Egyptian history, during which a rapid succession of kings failed to consolidate power. . . The official royal court and seat of government was relocated to Thebes. . . foreign rulers known as the Hyksos took advantage of Egypt’s instability to take control. . . the Thebans launched a war against the Hyksos around 1570 B.C., driving them out of Egypt. New Kingdom (c. 1567-1085 B.C.)

The controversial Amenhotep IV (c. 1379-1362), of the late 18th dynasty, undertook a religious revolution, disbanding the priesthoods dedicated to Amon-Re (a combination of the local Theban god Amon and the sun god Re) and forcing the exclusive worship of another sun-god, Aton. Renaming himself Akhenaton (“servant of the Aton”), he built a new capital in Middle Egypt called Akhetaton, known later as Amarna. Upon Akhenaton’s death, the capital returned to Thebes and Egyptians returned to worshiping a multitude of gods. . . the exodus of Moses and the Israelites from Egypt possibly occurred during the reign of Ramses II (1304-1237 B.C.).

Third Intermediate Period (c. 1085-664 B.C.)

In 671 B.C., the Assyrian ruler Esarhaddon drove the Kushite king Taharka out of Memphis and destroyed the city; he then appointed his own rulers out of local governors and officials loyal to the Assyrians. One of them, Necho of Sais, ruled briefly as the first king of the 26th dynasty before being killed by the Kushite leader Tanuatamun, in a final, unsuccessful grab for power.

From the Late Period to Alexander’s Conquest (c.664-332 B.C.)